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Suggested Reading for IP Lawyers?

Posted by Cliff on from the books-for-the-personal-library dept.

Javert42 asks: "As graduation day comes nearer, and after reading two articles in Wired, the idea of graduate work in Computer Science isn't looking so appealing. I've been considering studying IP law for a few months, but realizing that my only experience with the matter is reading stories on Slashdot, I'd like some more input in order to form my own opinions and basic philosophy on the topics of copyrights, patents, and other IP issues, especially as they relate to computing. What reading material can you suggest that presents the key issues objectively (to start off with), and what can you suggest as far as argumentative works go?"

5 of 64 comments (clear)

  1. Try your local law school bookstore... by mbstone · · Score: 2, Informative

    ...and buy some green, hardcover West Hornbooks, or some softcover In A Nutshell summaries of copyright, patent and trademark law.

    Or you could try sites such as The Intellectual Property Page or one of several hundred other sites that a search engine would provide.

  2. This might be useful? by Chexsum · · Score: 3, Informative

    Literary Law Guide for Authors [/. book review :]

    --
    Pixels keep you awake!
  3. some suggested papers and articles by dh003i · · Score: 2, Informative

    Patent Wrongs, Illana Mercer

    Rethinking Patent Law, Gene Callahan

    Against Intellectual Property, Stephen Kinsella

    --
    social sciences can never use experience to verify their statemen
  4. Ask Groklaw? by gmhowell · · Score: 2, Informative

    Seriously, go read Groklaw. And maybe call up a local attorney. Certainly somewhere in your circle of friends/family, someone has contact with some kind of attorney. Finagle an informational interview.

    --
    Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
  5. From a law student: Don't go to law school... by cleetus · · Score: 2, Informative

    ...unless you really want to become a lawyer. This means that you really know what lawyers do, like doing it, and like doing it for 60+ hours per week .

    Look up some IP lawyers at the larger firms in your area and give them a call. Ask questions about the quantity and quality of their day-to-day workload. And I'm not talking partners, I'm talking associates--'cause that's what you'll start off as.

    IP law is interesting, and I am enjoying learning it, partly because so much of it is wrong ;) The problem is that few associates get to work on anything so interesting.

    There are other options besides becoming a lawyer once you graduate of course, but they are few and far between. Oh, and don't forget about the crushing debt!

    YMMV of course, and IANALY (y = yet), but most associates I know would counsel against becoming a lawyer.

    cleetus